BOE Candidates Should Be Judged by Positive Changes They Bring, Not Baseless Accusations
To the Editor:
There is a growing concern in our community that certain Board of Education candidates are being unfairly labeled as racist, often without substantial evidence. These accusations can be especially damaging when they come from influential figures within the dominant local political organization, whose voices hold considerable weight in shaping public opinion. It is vital that we question these claims and not accept them at face value, as they can undermine both the integrity of our elections and trust in our democratic processes.
What is particularly troubling is that these accusations seem to target not only those who hold differing opinions on how best to support minority students, but also those merely perceived as having such views. In education, as in any field, there are often multiple perspectives on how to address complex issues. Yet, if a candidate’s viewpoint — or even just the perception of their viewpoint — conflicts with the beliefs of key figures in education and the community, they may quickly find themselves unjustly branded as racist. This happens not because of what these candidates have actually said or done, but because their opinions seem to rub leading figures the wrong way.
These accusations are especially unfair considering the positive actions these candidates have taken for the benefit of our children and community. Shenwei Zhao successfully worked to stop the opening of a cannabis store just hundreds of feet from our schools. Lisa Potter rallied parents upset by the Principal Chimel firing into a school watchdog organization to monitor the Board of Education’s governance and finances, particularly highlighting governance failures that were evident during the Chimel incident. These are just two examples of their work, and there are many more in a similar vein. Is doing these things for our children racist? If that’s the case, then count the majority of the parents in this town as racist too, because most of us want these positive changes for our children’s future.
It seems these candidates’ actions have upset certain local figures, and in retaliation, the easiest but most vile tactic — accusing someone of racism — has been used to tarnish their reputations and hinder their election success. This tactic not only silences meaningful debate but also discourages other well-meaning individuals from serving our community out of fear of unjust attacks.
We must not allow such baseless accusations to be accepted without question. Instead, the public should ask: “What has the person actually said or done that is racist?” Too often, these claims are exaggerated or completely unfounded, meant to discredit rather than engage in thoughtful discussion.
Racism is a serious issue that needs addressing wherever it genuinely exists, but the term should not be used as a tool for political gain. In the upcoming Board of Education elections, I urge voters to look beyond these harmful labels and examine each candidate’s actions and ideas. Let’s ensure that our elections remain fair and that candidates are judged by the positive changes they bring—not by baseless accusations.